JP4550745B2 - Image processing method and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  In the present invention, for example, a composite image is created by embedding and compositing another additional sub-information (security information, etc.) in the invisible state with respect to the main image (human face image, etc.) in the visible state. The present invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing apparatus for printing a composite image on a print medium and restoring sub-information embedded therein from the printed composite image.

  In recent years, with the digitization of information and the spread of the Internet, the importance of image processing techniques has increased. In particular, with the spread of digital cameras and the like, there is an increasing need to automatically perform image processing on printed images taken under a variety of input conditions, such as outdoor advertising photos. Yes.

  In order to automatically perform image processing on an image with various input conditions, it is necessary to correct the change in the image due to the input conditions. In general, a technique is known in which a known correction pattern is photographed in the image and the correction amount is obtained by detecting the correction pattern.

  However, the printed matter photographed in the above-mentioned form often does not allow the right holder to change the appearance, and it is difficult to include the correction pattern in the photographed image. In particular, there may be a case where a correction pattern cannot be included in the shooting range as in the face area of the ID photo.

If the correction pattern is made invisible only to human eyes, the correction amount can be detected without deteriorating the appearance of the image. As an existing technique for creating a correction pattern in an invisible state, a technique for creating a correction pattern using ink containing a special material that reflects or emits light of a specific wavelength outside the visible range is known. . For example, a technique for creating a correction pattern that can be detected by infrared rays by using a specific compound is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3068483

  However, when using an ink containing a special material, a printing apparatus having a special function for that purpose must be used, and the cost of the ink itself must be borne. Furthermore, based on the needs as described above, it is not possible to require the photographer to use a lighting apparatus that emits a specific wavelength. In addition, in a general photographing device such as a digital camera, the specific wavelength described above is cut by an optical filter built in the device, so that it is difficult to photograph the correction pattern itself.

  Therefore, the present invention is an image that can be realized by a general printing technique, can include a correction pattern in the image without changing the appearance of the image, and can improve image processing performance. It is an object to provide a processing method and an image processing apparatus.

  The image processing method of the present invention includes an embedding process and a restoration process. The embedding process creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in an invisible state in the main image, and creates a printed matter on which the created composite image is printed. In the image processing method for inputting the composite image printed on the printed material and restoring the sub-information from the input composite image, the embedding step includes an area detection pattern for detecting the processing target area. A region detection pattern creation process step for creating a composite image creation process step for creating a composite image in which the region detection pattern created by the region detection pattern creation process step is embedded in the main image in an invisible state as sub information; and And a print processing step for creating a printed matter obtained by printing the composite image created by the composite image creation processing step. The restoration process includes an input processing step for inputting a composite image printed on the printed matter, a restoration processing step for restoring the sub-information from the composite image input by the input processing step, and a restoration processing step for restoring the sub information. And a region detection processing step of detecting the processing target region from the sub information.

  The image processing method of the present invention includes an embedding step and a restoration step, and the embedding step creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in an invisible state in the main image, and prints the printed product on which the created composite image is printed. In the image processing method for creating and restoring, the composite image printed on the printed matter is input, and the sub information is restored from the input composite image. The embedding step detects the skew amount and the slide amount. A skew / slide detection pattern creation processing step for creating a skew / slide detection pattern, a partial image creation processing step for creating a partial image by cutting out a portion in which the skew / slide detection pattern is embedded from the main image, and this partial image creation A process of creating a rotated partial image obtained by rotating the partial image created by the processing step in a first direction by a predetermined angle. Embed the skew / slide detection pattern created by the skew / slide detection pattern creation processing step as sub-information in an invisible state for the partial image creation processing step and the rotated partial image created by the rotation partial image creation processing step, A composite partial image creation processing step for creating a composite partial image, and a reverse obtained by rotating the composite partial image created by the composite partial image creation processing step by a predetermined angle in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A reverse rotation partial image creation processing step of creating a rotation partial image, and a composite image creation processing step of combining the reverse rotation partial image created by the reverse rotation partial image creation processing step with the main image to create a composite image And a print processing step for creating a printed matter obtained by printing the composite image created by the composite image creation processing step, The restoration process includes an input processing step for inputting a composite image printed on the printed material, a restoration processing step for restoring the sub-information from the composite image input by the input processing step, and a restoration processing step. And a skew / slide detection processing step for detecting a skew amount and a slide amount of the composite image input by the input processing step from the sub information.

  The image processing method of the present invention includes an embedding process and a restoration process. The embedding process creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in an invisible state in the main image, and prints the printed product with the created composite image printed thereon. In the image processing method for creating and restoring, the composite image printed on the printed matter is input, and the sub information is restored from the input composite image. The embedding step detects an enlargement amount and a reduction amount. An enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation processing step for creating an enlargement / reduction detection pattern and a portion in which the enlargement / reduction detection pattern created by the enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation processing step is embedded from the main image. Partial image creation processing step to be created, and a size conversion unit that converts the partial image created by this partial image creation processing step into a predetermined size A size conversion partial image creation process for creating an image, and an enlargement / reduction detection pattern created by the enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation process for the size conversion partial image created by the size conversion partial image creation process A composite partial image creation processing step for embedding in the invisible state as sub-information and creating a composite partial image, and before the size conversion of the composite partial image created by this composite partial image creation processing step in the size conversion partial image creation processing step The size reverse conversion partial image creation processing step of creating a size reverse conversion partial image by returning to the size of the image, and the size reverse conversion partial image created by the size reverse conversion partial image creation processing step to the main image A composite image creation process for creating a composite image, and a composite image created by the composite image creation process A print processing step for creating a printed matter, and the restoration step includes an input processing step for inputting a composite image printed on the printed matter, and the composite image input by the input processing step. A restoration processing step for restoring the sub information, and an enlargement / reduction detection processing step for detecting the enlargement amount and the reduction amount of the composite image input by the input processing step from the sub information restored by the restoration processing step. It is characterized by being configured.

  According to the present invention, by using a detection pattern embedded in an invisible state in an image, even when the appearance of the image cannot be changed, it is possible to improve the processing target region setting accuracy and improve the image processing performance. An image processing method and an image processing apparatus can be provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, even when the appearance of the image cannot be changed by using the detection pattern embedded in the image in an invisible state, the skew amount and the slide amount generated when the printed image is captured. An image processing method and an image processing apparatus can be provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, even when the appearance of the image cannot be changed by using the detection pattern embedded in an invisible state in the image, the enlargement amount and the reduction amount generated when the image of the printed matter is captured. An image processing method and an image processing apparatus can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of an image processing apparatus to which the image processing method according to the first embodiment is applied. This image processing apparatus is roughly divided into an embedding unit 10 and a restoration unit 20, and each unit will be described in detail below.

  The embedding unit 10 creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in an invisible state in the main image, and creates a printed matter on which the created composite image is printed. Area detection pattern creation processing as a region detection pattern creation processing means 11, a composite image creation processing unit 12 as a composite image creation processing unit, and a print processing unit 13 as a print processing unit.

  The area detection pattern creation processing unit 11 creates an area detection pattern for detecting the processing target area of the main image. The area detection pattern is created by arranging a coordinate detection pattern based on the area designation information. The area designation information is a set of coordinate values for setting the image processing target area.

  The composite image creation processing unit 12 creates a composite image by embedding the region detection pattern created by the region detection pattern creation processing unit 11 in the invisible state as sub information (sub image) in the main image. As a method for embedding the pattern in an invisible state and in a state where the pattern can be restored from the printed material, an existing method can be used. For example, the above-described composite image can be created by using a digital watermark embedding method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 11-168616 and 2001-268346.

  The print processing unit 13 creates a printed material N by printing the composite image created by the composite image creation processing unit 12 on a print medium. Even if the composite image is printed on the printed material N, the embedded region detection pattern can be restored.

  The restoration unit 20 inputs a composite image printed on the printed matter N, and restores sub-information from the input composite image. An input processing unit 21 as an input processing unit and a restoration processing unit as a restoration processing unit 22 and an area detection processing unit 23 as an area detection processing means.

The input processing unit 21 takes in a composite image printed on the printed material N and creates an input image.
The restoration processing unit 22 restores the sub-information embedded in the image, that is, the region detection pattern, from the input image created by the input processing unit 21.

  The area detection processing unit 23 extracts a coordinate detection pattern from the area detection pattern restored by the restoration processing unit 22 and detects an image processing target area based on the coordinate value of the coordinate detection pattern in the input image.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the setting of the image processing target area in the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is an example of a composite image created by the composite image creation processing unit 12, and shows a main image M, an image processing target region E, and region detection patterns P1 to P8. The area detection patterns P1 to P8 in this example are a set of individual coordinate detection patterns arranged in eight directions so as to surround the image processing target area E. FIG. 2B shows the area detection patterns P1 ′ to P8 ′ restored by the restoration processing unit 22. FIG. 2C shows an image processing target area E ′ reset from each coordinate detection pattern.

  In the above description, the coordinate detection pattern is arranged so as to surround the image processing target area. However, the form of the coordinate detection pattern arrangement is not limited to this, and only one is arranged, for example, at the center coordinates of the area. Or a plurality of them may be randomly arranged in the area. Further, the number of processing target areas is not limited to one, and a plurality of processing target areas may be used. Also, the coordinate detection pattern is not limited to a single type of pattern, and may be a plurality of types.

  In the first embodiment, a main image (digital information) that is an object of image processing becomes a printed matter N having a physical entity once in the print processing unit 13, and is converted into digital information again by the input processing unit 21. . Therefore, the coordinates of the image processing target area E in FIG. 2A and the coordinates of the image processing target area E ′ in FIGS. 2B and 2C do not necessarily match.

  By using the first embodiment, even if the coordinates do not match as described above, the image processing target area can be detected and set with high accuracy based on the area detection pattern.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 schematically shows the overall configuration of an image processing apparatus to which the image processing method according to the second embodiment is applied. This image processing apparatus is roughly divided into an embedding unit 30 and a restoration unit 40, and each unit will be described in detail below.

  The embedding unit 30 creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in an invisible state in the main image, and creates a printed matter on which the created composite image is printed. The skew / slide as a skew / slide detection pattern creation processing means Detection pattern creation processing unit 31, partial image creation processing unit 32 as a partial image creation processing unit, rotation partial image creation processing unit 33 as a rotation partial image creation processing unit, and composite partial image creation processing as a composite partial image creation processing unit Unit 34, reverse rotation partial image creation processing unit 35 as reverse rotation partial image creation processing means, determination processing unit 36 as determination processing means, composite image creation processing unit 37 as composite image creation processing means, and print processing means And a print processing unit 38.

  The skew / slide detection pattern creation processing unit 31 creates a skew / slide detection pattern for detecting the skew amount and the slide amount. Skew and slide are image fluctuations that occur when digital to analog conversion or vice versa, skew means image rotation, and slide means image shift. The skew / slide detection pattern is created by rotating the basic pattern by a predetermined amount.

  The partial image creation processing unit 32 creates a partial image by cutting out a portion in which the skew / slide detection pattern created by the skew / slide detection pattern creation processing unit 31 is embedded from the main image.

  The rotated partial image creation processing unit 33 creates a rotated partial image by rotating the partial image created by the partial image creation processing unit 32 by the same predetermined amount as the skew / slide detection pattern embedded therein.

  The composite partial image creation processing unit 34 makes the skew / slide detection pattern created by the skew / slide detection pattern creation processing unit 31 invisible to the rotated partial image created by the rotated partial image creation processing unit 33 as sub information. A composite partial image is created by embedding in a state.

  The reverse rotation partial image creation processing unit 35 rotates the composite partial image created by the composite partial image creation processing unit 34 by a predetermined amount in the direction opposite to that of the rotation partial image creation processing unit 33, thereby Create

The determination processing unit 36 determines whether or not the processing of the reverse rotation partial image creation processing unit 35 has been completed.
When the determination processing unit 36 determines that the processing of the reverse rotation partial image generation processing unit 35 is completed, the composite image creation processing unit 37 creates the reverse rotation partial image created by the reverse rotation partial image creation processing unit 35 for the main image. Is overwritten to create a composite image.

  The print processing unit 38 creates a printed matter N by printing the composite image created by the composite image creation processing unit 37 on a print medium. Even when the composite image is printed on the printed material N, the embedded skew / slide detection pattern can be restored.

  The restoration unit 40 inputs a composite image printed on the printed material N, and restores sub-information from the input composite image. An input processing unit 41 as an input processing unit and a restoration processing unit as a restoration processing unit 42 and a skew / slide detection processing unit 43 serving as a skew / slide detection processing means.

The input processing unit 41 takes in a composite image printed on the printed material N and creates an input image.
The restoration process 42 restores the sub-information embedded in the image, that is, the skew / slide detection pattern, from the input image created by the input processing unit 41.

  The skew / slide detection processing unit 43 calculates the projection in the X and Y directions for the skew / slide detection pattern restored by the restoration processing unit 42 to detect the position on the input image, and the position of the position at the time of embedding is detected. The slide amount is detected by calculating the deviation. Further, while rotating the basic pattern, the correlation with the detection pattern restored by the restoration processing unit 42 is calculated, and the amount of skew is detected by obtaining the rotation amount that maximizes the obtained correlation.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow of the digital watermark embedding process according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, the basic pattern P10 is rectangular, and the skew / slide detection pattern P11 is created by rotating the basic pattern P10 by a predetermined amount in the first direction (for example, the right direction). Further, the partial image P13 is cut out from the main image P12, and the partial image P13 is rotated by a predetermined amount, thereby creating a rotated partial image P14.

  The composite partial image creation processing unit 34 uses the key image information P15 to embed the skew / slide detection pattern P11 in the invisible state as sub information in the rotated partial image P14 to create a composite partial image P16. At this time, by using a method having a spatial direction as an embedding method, the sub-information is restored only when restoration processing is performed on the synthesized partial image P16 from a specific direction.

  An existing method can be used as an embedding method having a spatial direction. For example, the above-described composite partial image P16 can be created by using a digital watermark embedding method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 11-168616 and 2001-268346.

  Finally, the reverse rotation partial image P17 is created by rotating the composite partial image P16 by a predetermined amount in a second direction (for example, the left direction) opposite to the first direction. Then, the reverse rotation partial image P17 is overwritten at the position where the partial image is cut out from the main image, thereby generating a composite image P18.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a skew amount detection method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5A shows an example of embedding the skew / slide detection pattern P11. In this example, a total of ten skew / slide detection patterns P11a to P11j are embedded in the left and right edges of the main image P12, each with five rotation amounts. In this example, the center skew / slide detection patterns P11c and P11h have a rotation amount of “0”, that is, the same as the basic pattern P10, and the rotation amount increases as it goes up and down. In addition, the left and right sides are embedded so that the rotation direction is reversed from the top to the bottom.

FIG. 5B shows the result of performing restoration processing in the direction in which the basic pattern P10 is restored when there is no skew in the image printed and scanned in FIG.
FIG. 5C shows the result of performing the same restoration processing as in FIG. 5B when skew has occurred in the image printed and scanned in FIG. That is, the restoration process is performed in a direction to restore the basic pattern P10. However, since the image itself is rotated, a pattern corresponding to the skew amount of the image is restored instead of the basic pattern P10. Therefore, the image skew amount can be detected by detecting how much the restored pattern is rotated from the basic pattern P10.
Further, the slide amount of the image can be detected from the restored pattern coordinates.

  In the above description, the basic pattern P10 is rectangular. However, the basic pattern P10 is not limited to this, and other shapes may be used, or a plurality of different shapes may be used. Also, the position for embedding the skew / slide detection pattern is not limited to the left and right edges of the main image, and may be an arbitrary position. Furthermore, a method may be used in which a derived pattern obtained by rotating the basic pattern P10 is created in advance, and when the pattern is detected, the derived pattern is sequentially checked.

  By using the second embodiment, it is possible to accurately detect the skew amount and slide amount of an image without changing the appearance of the image with respect to an arbitrary image.

Next, a third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 schematically shows the overall configuration of an image processing apparatus to which the image processing method according to the third embodiment is applied. This image processing apparatus is roughly divided into an embedding unit 50 and a restoration unit 60, and each unit will be described in detail below.

  The embedding unit 50 creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in the main image in an invisible state, and creates a printed matter on which the created composite image is printed. Enlargement / reduction as an enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation processing means Detection pattern creation processing unit 51, partial image creation processing unit 52 as a partial image creation processing unit, size conversion partial image creation processing unit 53 as a size conversion partial image creation processing unit, and composite partial image as a composite partial image creation processing unit A creation processing unit 54, a size inverse conversion partial image creation processing unit 55 as a size inverse transformation partial image creation processing unit, a determination processing unit 56 as a determination processing unit, a composite image creation processing unit 57 as a composite image creation processing unit, and And a print processing unit 58 as a print processing means.

  The enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation processing unit 51 creates an enlargement / reduction detection pattern for detecting the enlargement / reduction amount. The enlargement or reduction of the image may occur as a fluctuation when performing conversion from digital to analog or vice versa. The enlargement / reduction detection pattern is for detecting the amount of fluctuation, and is a pattern obtained by deforming the basic pattern and further enlarging or reducing it by a predetermined amount.

The partial image creation processing unit 52 creates a partial image by cutting out from the main image the part in which the enlargement / reduction detection pattern created by the enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation processing unit 51 is embedded.
The size conversion partial image creation processing unit 53 creates a size conversion partial image by enlarging or reducing the partial image created by the partial image creation processing unit 52 by the same predetermined amount as the enlargement / reduction detection pattern embedded therein. .

  The composite partial image creation processing unit 54 uses the enlargement / reduction detection pattern created by the enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation processing unit 51 as sub-information for the size converted partial image created by the size conversion partial image creation processing unit 53. As a result, it is embedded in an invisible state to create a composite partial image.

  The size reverse conversion partial image creation processing unit 55 reduces or enlarges the composite partial image created by the composite partial image creation processing unit 54 by a predetermined amount, contrary to the size conversion partial image creation processing unit 53, before the size conversion. A size inversely converted partial image is created by returning to the size of. The size of the size inversely converted partial image is equal to the size of the partial image.

The determination processing unit 56 determines whether or not the processing of the size inverse conversion partial image creation processing unit 55 has been completed.
When the determination processing unit 56 determines that the size reverse conversion partial image creation processing unit 55 has finished processing, the composite image creation processing unit 57 reverses the size created by the size reverse conversion partial image creation processing unit 55 for the main image. The converted partial image is overwritten and combined to create a combined image.

  The print processing unit 58 creates a printed matter N by printing the composite image created by the composite image creation processing unit 57 on a print medium. Even when the composite image is printed on the printed matter N, the embedded enlargement / reduction detection pattern can be restored.

  The restoration unit 60 inputs a composite image printed on the printed material N, and restores sub-information from the input composite image. The restoration processing unit 61 serves as an input processing unit, and a restoration processing unit serves as a restoration processing unit. 62 and an enlargement / reduction detection processing unit 63 as enlargement / reduction detection processing means.

The input processing unit 61 takes in a composite image printed on the printed material N and creates an input image.
The restoration process 62 restores the sub-information embedded in the image, that is, the enlargement / reduction detection pattern, from the input image created by the input processing unit 61.

  The enlargement / reduction detection processing unit 63 calculates a correlation with the enlargement / reduction detection pattern restored by the restoration processing unit 62 while deforming the basic pattern, and obtains an amount by which the obtained correlation is maximized.・ Detect the reduction amount.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow of the digital watermark embedding process according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 7, the basic pattern P20 is a rectangle, and the basic pattern P20 is deformed and further enlarged or reduced by a predetermined amount to create an enlargement / reduction detection pattern P21. Further, the partial image P23 is cut out from the main image P22, and the partial image P23 is enlarged or reduced by a predetermined amount, thereby creating a size conversion partial image P24.

  The composite partial image creation processing unit 54 uses the key image information P25 to embed the enlargement / reduction detection pattern P21 in the invisible state as sub information in the size conversion partial image P24 to create a composite partial image P26. At this time, by using a method having spatial frequency dependency as the embedding method, the sub-information is restored only when the synthesized partial image P26 is restored using a specific spatial frequency. .

  An existing method can be used as an embedding method having spatial frequency dependency. For example, the above-described composite partial image P26 can be created by using the digital watermark embedding method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 11-168616 and 2001-268346.

  Finally, the size reverse conversion partial image P27 is created by reducing or enlarging the composite partial image P26 by a predetermined amount contrary to the enlargement or reduction. Then, the size inversely converted partial image P27 is overwritten at the position where the partial image is cut out from the main image to create a composite image P28.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for detecting an enlargement / reduction amount in the third embodiment. FIG. 8A shows an example of embedding the enlargement / reduction detection pattern P21. In this example, a total of twelve enlargement / reduction detection patterns P21a to P21l are embedded at the left and right ends of the main image P22. In this example, the center enlargement / reduction detection patterns P21c, P21d, P21i, P21j are not deformed, that is, are the same as the basic pattern P20, and the upper enlargement / reduction detection patterns P21a, P21b, P21g, P21h are in the horizontal direction. The pattern that has been deformed to be doubled and further doubled in size, and the lower enlargement / reduction detection patterns P21e, P21f, P21k, and P21l have been deformed so that the vertical direction is doubled. The pattern is reduced to ½.

  FIG. 8B shows the result of the restoration process using the spatial frequency for restoring the basic pattern P20 when the image printed and scanned in FIG. 8A is not enlarged or reduced. .

FIG. 8C shows the result of performing the same restoration process as in FIG. 8B when the image printed and scanned in FIG. 8A is enlarged or reduced. That is, the restoration process is performed using the spatial frequency for restoring the basic pattern P20. However, since the image itself is enlarged or reduced, as a result, not the basic pattern P20 but the deformation corresponding to the enlargement or reduction amount of the image is performed. The restored pattern is restored. Therefore, the amount of enlargement or reduction of the image can be detected by detecting how the restored pattern is deformed from the basic pattern P20.
In the example of FIG. 8C, since the enlargement / reduction detection patterns P21a and P21g deformed twice in the horizontal direction are restored, it is detected that the image is reduced by half. .

  In the above description, the basic pattern P20 is a pair of squares. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other shapes may be used, or a plurality of different shapes may be used. Also, the position where the enlargement / reduction detection pattern is embedded is not limited to the left and right of the main image, and may be an arbitrary position. Furthermore, a method may be used in which a derived pattern obtained by deforming the basic pattern P20 is created in advance, and when the pattern is detected, the derived pattern is sequentially verified.

  By using the third embodiment, it is possible to accurately detect the amount of enlargement or reduction of an image without changing the appearance of the image.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an image processing apparatus to which an image processing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining setting of an image processing target area in the first embodiment. The block diagram which shows schematically the whole structure of the image processing apparatus with which the image processing method which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is applied. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a flow of a digital watermark embedding process in the second embodiment. The schematic diagram explaining the detection method of the skew amount in 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows schematically the whole structure of the image processing apparatus with which the image processing method which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention is applied. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a flow of a digital watermark embedding process according to a third embodiment. Mu The schematic diagram explaining the detection method of the expansion / contraction amount in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Embedding part, 11 ... Area detection pattern creation processing part (area detection pattern creation processing means), 12 ... Composite image creation processing part (composite image creation processing means), 13 ... Print processing part (print processing means), 20 ... Restoration unit, 21 ... input processing unit (input processing unit), 22 ... restoration processing unit (restoration processing unit), 23 ... area detection processing unit (area detection processing unit), M ... main image, E ... image processing target area, P1 to P8 ... area detection patterns.

Claims (6)

The embedding process consists of an embedding process and a restoration process. The embedding process creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in an invisible state in the main image, creates a printed material on which the created composite image is printed, and the restoration process prints on the printed material. In the image processing method of inputting the synthesized image, and restoring the sub information from the inputted synthesized image,
The embedding step includes
An area detection pattern creation process for creating an area detection pattern for detecting a process target area;
A composite image creation process for creating a composite image in which the area detection pattern created by the area detection pattern creation process for the main image is embedded in the invisible state as sub-information;
A print processing step for creating a printed matter obtained by printing the composite image created by the composite image creation processing step,
The restoration step includes
An input processing step of inputting a composite image printed on the printed matter;
A restoration processing step for restoring the sub-information from the composite image input by the input processing step;
An image processing method comprising: an area detection processing step for detecting the processing target area from the sub-information restored by the restoration processing step. The embedding process consists of an embedding process and a restoration process. The embedding process creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in an invisible state in the main image, creates a printed material on which the created composite image is printed, and the restoration process prints on the printed material. In the image processing method of inputting the synthesized image, and restoring the sub information from the inputted synthesized image,
The embedding step includes
A skew / slide detection pattern creating process for creating a skew / slide detection pattern for detecting the skew amount and the slide amount;
A partial image creation processing step of creating a partial image by cutting out a portion in which the skew / slide detection pattern is embedded from the main image;
A rotated partial image creation process for creating a rotated partial image obtained by rotating the partial image created by the partial image creation process in a first direction by a predetermined angle;
A composition for creating a composite partial image by embedding the skew / slide detection pattern created by the skew / slide detection pattern creation processing step as sub-information in an invisible state to the rotation partial image created by the rotation partial image creation processing step Partial image creation process,
A reverse rotation partial image creation processing step of creating a reverse rotation partial image obtained by rotating the composite partial image created by the composite partial image creation processing step by a predetermined angle in a second direction opposite to the first direction; ,
A composite image creation processing step of creating a composite image by combining the reverse rotation partial image created by the reverse rotation partial image creation processing step with the main image;
A print processing step for creating a printed matter obtained by printing the composite image created by the composite image creation processing step,
The restoration step includes
An input processing step of inputting a composite image printed on the printed matter;
A restoration processing step for restoring the sub-information from the composite image input by the input processing step;
An image comprising: a skew / slide detection processing step for detecting a skew amount and a slide amount of a composite image input by the input processing step from the sub information restored by the restoration processing step. Processing method. The embedding process consists of an embedding process and a restoration process. The embedding process creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in an invisible state in the main image, creates a printed material on which the created composite image is printed, and the restoration process prints on the printed material. In the image processing method of inputting the synthesized image, and restoring the sub information from the inputted synthesized image,
The embedding step includes
An enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation process for creating an enlargement / reduction detection pattern for detecting an enlargement amount and a reduction amount,
A partial image creation processing step of creating a partial image by cutting out a portion in which the enlargement / reduction detection pattern created by the enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation processing step is embedded;
A size conversion partial image creation processing step of creating a size conversion partial image by converting the partial image created by the partial image creation processing step to a predetermined size;
Embed the enlargement / reduction detection pattern created by the enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation process in the invisible state as sub-information in the size conversion partial image created by this size conversion partial image creation process to create a composite partial image A composite partial image creation processing step,
A size reverse conversion partial image creation processing step of creating a size reverse conversion partial image by returning the composite partial image created by the composite partial image creation processing step to the size before the size conversion in the size conversion partial image creation processing step; ,
A composite image creation processing step of creating a composite image by combining the size reverse transform partial image created by the size reverse transform partial image creation processing step with the main image;
A print processing step for creating a printed matter obtained by printing the composite image created by the composite image creation processing step,
The restoration step includes
An input processing step of inputting a composite image printed on the printed matter;
A restoration processing step for restoring the sub-information from the composite image input by the input processing step;
An image comprising: an enlargement / reduction detection processing step for detecting an enlargement amount and a reduction amount of the composite image input by the input processing step from the sub-information restored by the restoration processing step Processing method. It is composed of an embedding part and a restoration part. The embedding part creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in an invisible state in the main image, creates a printed material on which the created composite image is printed, and the restoration unit prints on the printed material. In the image processing apparatus that inputs the combined image and restores the sub information from the input combined image,
The embedded portion is
An area detection pattern creation processing means for creating an area detection pattern for detecting a processing target area;
Synthetic image creation processing means for creating a composite image in which the area detection pattern created by the area detection pattern creation processing means is sub-information embedded in the main image in an invisible state;
Print processing means for creating a printed matter obtained by printing the composite image created by the composite image creation processing means,
The restoration unit
Input processing means for inputting a composite image printed on the printed matter;
Restoration processing means for restoring the sub information from the composite image input by the input processing means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an area detection processing unit that detects the processing target area from the sub-information restored by the restoration processing unit. It is composed of an embedding part and a restoration part. The embedding part creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in an invisible state in the main image, creates a printed material on which the created composite image is printed, and the restoration unit prints on the printed material. In the image processing apparatus that inputs the combined image and restores the sub information from the input combined image,
The embedded portion is
A skew / slide detection pattern creation processing means for creating a skew / slide detection pattern for detecting a skew amount and a slide amount;
A partial image creation processing means for creating a partial image by cutting out a portion in which the skew / slide detection pattern is embedded from the main image;
Rotated partial image creation processing means for creating a rotated partial image obtained by rotating the partial image created by the partial image creation processing means in a first direction at a predetermined angle;
A composition for creating a composite partial image by embedding the skew / slide detection pattern created by the skew / slide detection pattern creation processing means as sub-information in an invisible state to the rotation partial image created by the rotation partial image creation processing means Partial image creation processing means;
A reverse rotation partial image creation processing means for creating a reverse rotation partial image obtained by rotating the composite partial image created by the composite partial image creation processing means by a predetermined angle in a second direction opposite to the first direction; ,
Synthetic image creation processing means for creating a composite image by synthesizing the reverse rotation partial image created by the reverse rotation partial image creation processing means with respect to the main image;
Print processing means for creating a printed matter obtained by printing the composite image created by the composite image creation processing means,
The restoration unit
Input processing means for inputting a composite image printed on the printed matter;
Restoration processing means for restoring the sub information from the composite image input by the input processing means;
An image comprising: a skew / slide detection processing means for detecting a skew amount and a slide amount of the composite image input by the input processing means from the sub-information restored by the restoration processing means. Processing equipment. It consists of an embedding part and a restoration part. The embedding part creates a composite image by embedding the sub-information in an invisible state in the main image, creates a printed material that prints the created composite image, and the restoration unit prints on the printed material. In the image processing apparatus that inputs the combined image and restores the sub information from the input combined image,
The embedded portion is
An enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation processing means for creating an enlargement / reduction detection pattern for detecting an enlargement amount and a reduction amount;
A partial image creation processing unit that creates a partial image by cutting out a portion in which the enlargement / reduction detection pattern created by the enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation processing unit is embedded;
A size conversion partial image creation processing means for creating a size conversion partial image by converting the partial image created by the partial image creation processing means to a predetermined size;
An enlarged / reduced detection pattern created by the enlargement / reduction detection pattern creation processing means is embedded in the invisible state as sub-information in the size conversion partial image created by the size conversion partial image creation processing means to create a composite partial image Synthetic partial image creation processing means for
A size reverse conversion partial image creation processing means for creating a size reverse conversion partial image by returning the composite partial image created by the composite partial image creation processing means to the size before the size conversion by the size conversion partial image creation processing means; ,
A composite image creation processing unit that creates a composite image by combining the size reverse transform partial image created by the size reverse transform partial image creation processing unit with the main image;
Print processing means for creating a printed matter obtained by printing the composite image created by the composite image creation processing means,
The restoration unit
Input processing means for inputting a composite image printed on the printed matter;
Restoration processing means for restoring the sub information from the composite image input by the input processing means;
An image comprising: an enlargement / reduction detection processing means for detecting an enlargement amount and a reduction amount of a composite image input by the input processing means from the sub information restored by the restoration processing means. Processing equipment.

Images